Flood board meets amid uncertainty

The latest meeting of a south Louisiana flood board that stirred political turmoil with a lawsuit against the oil and gas industry is taking place amid uncertainty over the future of the lawsuit - and the board's own membership.

Thursday's meeting of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East is the first since the state attorney general issued an opinion saying the terms of two members - Paul Kemp and Jeff Angers - have expired.

Kemp supports the lawsuit, which is opposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The attorney general opinion means Jindal likely will seek to replace Kemp in the coming weeks, giving lawsuit opponents a majority on the board.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit continues in federal court, where attorneys are to hold a status conference to discuss the case next month.